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The Nourished Nervous System
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The Nourished Nervous System

Author: Kristen Timchak

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An exploration of  stress, the nervous system, and resilience through the lenses of Ayurveda, Somatic Practice, Herbs, Neural Plasticity and much more!   

140 Episodes
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Send a text Winter is long. And right now, we're in this unique in-between place: the light is slowly returning, but we still have weeks (or months) of cold, heavy weather ahead. If you're feeling the weight of winter, you're not alone. And more importantly, you're not supposed to be producing at summer's pace right now. In this conversation, I sit down with Brett Aldrich—breathwork practitioner, Ayurveda counselor, and founder of Seed the Spirit—to talk about what's actually happening in our...
Send a text What happens when the very tools meant to heal you—breathwork, yoga, mindfulness—become ways to silence your inner wisdom? In this deeply vulnerable conversation, I sit down with Devin Scott, founder of Find Your Meaning, a body-based coach, who shares his recent experience of ignoring his body's signals in a relationship—and what he has learned about "healing" from that experience. We recorded this episode in early December, just days after Devin went through a painful breakup. I...
Send a text In times of collective overwhelm, how do we cultivate resilience and find ease in our bodies? In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Alexandra Johnson, a family physician who integrates Breema body work and functional medicine into primary care, to explore how fear manifests in the body—and what we can do about it. What You'll Learn: Why anxiety and fear aren't just "in your head"—they live in your body as tension, and what that means for your healthThe ancient practice of Bree...
Send a text In this episode of Nourish Nervous System, I explore the vagus nerve — what it actually is, why it plays such a vital role in healing and resilience, and how Ayurveda has been supporting vagal regulation for thousands of years. We hear a lot about the vagus nerve in modern wellness spaces, but often without context or clarity. I share a simple, grounded explanation of the vagus nerve and why gentle, nourishing practices work better than force when it comes to nervous system ...
Send a text In this episode of Nourish Nervous System, I’m joined by Dr. Karen Parker, founder of Quantum Human Design, for a powerful conversation about the stories we carry—and how they shape our nervous system, health, and sense of purpose, especially during times of burnout and uncertainty. Dr. Karen shares her unique approach to Human Design, blending science and spirituality, including quantum physics, epigenetics, narrative coaching, and embodied awareness. Together, we explore h...
Send a text In this episode of The Nourish Nervous System, I am joined by Karen Canham, board-certified wellness practitioner and founder of Karen Ann Wellness, for a deep and grounded conversation on nervous system regulation, somatic healing, and what it truly means to heal beyond willpower. Karen shares her personal journey — from recovering from anorexia, to climbing the corporate ladder, to ultimately finding her way into nervous system work, somatic experiencing, and parts work therapy....
Send a text In this New Year episode of Nourish the Nervous System, we explore winter not as a time for pushing forward or reinventing ourselves, but as a season of subtlety, listening, and inward refinement. Rather than loud resolutions or high-energy goals, winter invites a quieter kind of awareness — one that whispers instead of shouts. Through the Ayurvedic lens of Vata dosha and the Sanskrit quality sukshma (the subtle), we explore how this season affects the nervous system, our emotions...
Send a text In this episode of The Nourished Nervous System, I’m joined by Dr. Nima Rahmany, chiropractor, educator, and creator of the Becoming Trigger-Proof methodology, for a deep and illuminating conversation about people pleasing, trauma responses, attachment patterns, and how nervous system healing transforms our relationships — with others and with ourselves. Dr. Nima shares his personal journey from chiropractic care into somatic psychology and attachment work, shaped by his own exper...
Send a text In this episode, I’m concluding our three-part series on Ayurveda and perimenopause with a deep dive into ojas — the subtle essence that governs vitality, immunity, resilience, and emotional steadiness. We’re recording in the dark days of winter here in the Northern Hemisphere, and I begin by reflecting on how seasonal rhythms mirror the inner transitions many of us experience during perimenopause. Just as nature turns inward in winter, this phase of life invites us to slow ...
Send a text In today’s episode of The Nourished Nervous System, I’m joined by Alyx Coble-Frakes, founder of The Agenda, for a powerful and wide-ranging conversation about menstrual cycles, perimenopause, and what happens when women stop overriding their bodies. This episode lands perfectly in the middle of my three-part series on Ayurveda and perimenopause, expanding the conversation beyond hormones as something to “fix” and into hormones as sources of insight, rhythm, and power. Together, we...
Send a text In this second episode of my perimenopause series, we explore Agni — your digestive and metabolic fire — and why it plays such a central role in the perimenopause transition. Ayurveda teaches that perimenopause isn’t just a hormonal shift. It’s a metabolic one. A deep recalibration in how the body digests food, processes experience, regulates energy, and maintains balance. Today, I walk through how Agni changes during this time, the three ways Agni can become imbalance...
Send a text In this episode, I sit down with self-compassion teacher, somatic coach, IFS practitioner, and soon-to-be author Soulla Demetriou. We explore what it really means to come home to yourself, befriend your inner world, and move through life with more ease, compassion, and truth. In this conversation, we talk about: • Soulla’s story How her early experiences with anxiety and panic opened the door to yoga, mindfulness, somatics, and eventually Internal Family Systems (IFS). • Wh...
Send a text In today’s episode, we step into the tender, powerful transition of perimenopause through the Ayurvedic lens—exploring rasa datu, the first and most foundational tissue of the body. I share how Ayurveda views perimenopause not as a decline, but as a sacred portal from the Pitta stage of life into the Vata years—one filled with potential for wisdom, clarity, insight, and deeper nourishment. Through the lens of rasa, we look at why this season is naturally juicy, tender, and s...
Send a text In this episode of the Nourished Nervous System, I welcome the insightful Darshana Avila, a trauma-informed somatic educator, practitioner, sexological bodyworker and international speaker. Darshana takes us through her transformative journey from a corporate career to pioneering work in erotic wholeness, which fuses somatics, sex and intimacy, and trauma healing. We dive deep into the crucial connection between a regulated nervous system and fulfilling intimacy, discu...
Send a text In this episode of 'The Nourished Nervous System', I welcome Dr. Diane Mueller, a distinguished authority in sexual wellness with dual doctorates in naturopathic medicine and acupuncture and oriental medicine. Dr. Mueller delves into the importance of understanding sexual health, discussing her personal journey and professional insights into libido and long-term relationships. She shares valuable tips on improving intimacy, the role of hormones and stress, and the sign...
Send a text In this episode of 'The Nourished Nervous System', we delve into the Ayurvedic approach to boosting immunity. We explore key concepts such as Agni (digestive fire), Ojas (vital immunity), and the seven Dhatus (tissue layers) which play a crucial role in maintaining health and vitality. The episode also provides practical tips on incorporating Ayurvedic herbs like ginger, turmeric, fennel, and rosemary into your daily routine to enhance your immune system, tailored to d...
Send a text In this episode of The Nourished Nervous System, I welcome somatic therapist, educator, and trauma specialist Julie MacAdam. Together, we dive into the interplay between dreams and the creative process for personal and collective evolution. Julie shares her journey through yoga, Ayurveda, and various integrative practices that led to her current work. We discuss the benefits of engaging with dreams, creative art as a healing practice, and how these methods can he...
Send a text In this episode, I explore the profound connection between our senses and well-being from both somatic and Ayurvedic perspectives. I delve into how our senses act as doorways between the inner and outer worlds, influencing our physiological states and overall health. I discuss the physiological and neurological underpinnings of sensory perception, the importance of mindful sensory management, and share practical tips for sensory care and balance. I also explain t...
Send a text In this episode of 'The Nourished Nervous System,' I welcome special guest Christine Eck, an Ayurvedic health consultant, birth and postpartum doula, and founder of the Center for Sacred Window Studies. We discuss the importance of postpartum care through the lens of Ayurveda, focusing on Vata dosha, the concept of the sacred postpartum window, and how specific Ayurvedic practices such as Abhyanga (oil massage) can support new mothers. Christine shares her personal jou...
Send a text As we fully enter into "Vata Season" here in the Northeast, I thought we would revisit the basics this week for anyone new to Ayurveda or needing a refresher on vata dosha. In Ayurvedic philosophy, Vata refers to a constitution made up of the air and space elements. In this episode we will go a bit deeper into vata. We will talk about The qualities of vataHow vata shows up in our bodies, emotions, environment, season, times of day, and times of life.How va...
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